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Meadow View Elementary School students enjoy a game of soccer led by Thompson High School soccer players during the MVES “Have a Ball with Learning” on Aug. 29. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

University of Montevallo Cheer Squad works to cheer up Sadie Connelly. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

University of Montevallo Cheer Squad works to cheer up Sadie Connelly. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

Penelope Reese swings in the setting sunlight. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

John David Hawthorne with a freezer pop curtesy of the MVES PTO. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

Cooper Heller plays some soccer with the big boys. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

Jackson Hamilton with Toro, the Birmingham Bulls mascot.

Preteen Miss Heart of Alabaster Katie Grace Carlee gives Savanah Hamilton her swag bag. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

Braden, David and Dalton Parrish enjoy a free dinner provided by the school. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

Jason and Allie Spain enjoy some time together. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The area in and around Alabaster’s Meadow View Elementary School resembled a scene from a large sports complex on the night of Aug. 28, as the school held its annual “Have a Ball with Learning” event.

During the event, which was held from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the school opened its doors for a night of fun and fellowship for its students and their families.

“We do this each year to partner with the community and the other schools,” said event organizer and MVES reading coach Heather Reeves. “The kids here really look up to the older kids, and we want to build good relationships between all of the schools.”

Outside the school, a large inflatable “Warriors” tunnel was set up to allow students to run through, several different sports stations and plenty of special guests. Thompson High School baseball, softball, basketball, soccer and volleyball players attended an interacted with the kids throughout the night, the THS and University of Montevallo cheerleaders kept the excitement up and Toro, the Birmingham Bulls hockey team mascot, was there to take photos with kids.

Families received free hot dog dinners and a reading swag bag stuffed with everything from reading resources and information about helpful education-related apps to temporary tattoos and bubbles. Local businesses such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Morningstar Storage donated items to support the event.

But Reeves made it clear the event was primarily a chance for families to have fun while officially kicking off the 2018-2019 school year.

“We want it to be a fun time, and we don’t want people to feel like they’re here to listen to a lecture,” Reeves said.

Before the event even began, the school had 560 reservations, and many more people came without making a reservation.

“Our communication with the coaches at the high school and (THS Principal) Dr. (Wesley) Hester is always great. They bring all the equipment and set everything up when they come,” Reeves said. “And I think the athletes have as much fun as the elementary school kids do.”

To view more photos from the event, visit Shelbycountyphotos.com.

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